Express guide into barcodes & barcode scanners
Find out what are barcodes, the main types of barcode scanners and how barcodes have changed manufacturing and retail http://www.mrpeasy.com
Find out what are barcodes, the main types of barcode scanners and how barcodes have changed manufacturing and retail http://www.mrpeasy.com
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EXPRESS GUIDE INTO<br />
BARCODES AND BARCODE<br />
SCANNERS
BRIEF HISTORY OF BARCODES<br />
Invented in 1948 by Joseph Woodland, <strong><strong>barcode</strong>s</strong> have seen the mass market only in the 70’s.<br />
Woodland’s Idea was to mark products with zebra-striped code which could be easily read by<br />
machines and provide price and description of the item.
WHAT IS A BARCODE?<br />
Barcode a simple code in the form of pattern of parallel lines, sometimes with numbers, which can be<br />
easily read by a machine.<br />
Before the <strong><strong>barcode</strong>s</strong> the check out process required manually writing down or typing the product code,<br />
while the <strong>barcode</strong> can be simply scanned in a matter of seconds.<br />
Imagine typing down a 12-digit code manually for 500 products and doing the same with a <strong>barcode</strong><br />
scanner – that is why this technology is so revolutionary.
1D VS 2D BARCODES<br />
As any technology, the <strong><strong>barcode</strong>s</strong> have improved with time to become even more efficient. There are<br />
two types of <strong><strong>barcode</strong>s</strong>: 1D, or linear and 2D.<br />
1D<br />
The most widely used <strong>barcode</strong> type is 1D linear <strong>barcode</strong> in UPC (Universal Product Code) format with<br />
a 12-digit number. There are different variations of the linear <strong>barcode</strong> which are more popular in<br />
specific organizations or governmental institutions, like US mail, where a POSTNET <strong>barcode</strong> is<br />
commonly used.
1D VS 2D BARCODES<br />
2D<br />
2D <strong><strong>barcode</strong>s</strong> represent a more complex solution which can store much more data, including text, but<br />
often require a more advanced <strong>barcode</strong> scanner. 1D Scanners cannot read data from 2D <strong><strong>barcode</strong>s</strong>,<br />
while 2D <strong>scanners</strong> can usually read both formats.<br />
One of the most popular <strong>barcode</strong> of 2D format is the QR (Quick Response) code which is often used<br />
for advertising purposes since it can be easily read by a mobile device and can contain the full URL<br />
address of a website or any other text, since the capacity of QR code makes 4296 alphanumeric<br />
characters.
BARCODE SCANNERS<br />
There are different types of <strong>barcode</strong> <strong>scanners</strong> starting with primitive 1D <strong>scanners</strong> which can read only<br />
linear <strong><strong>barcode</strong>s</strong>, ending with 2D <strong>scanners</strong> or universal mobile devices which can scan any code and<br />
transfer it to the system wirelessly.<br />
Despite a common belief, <strong>barcode</strong> <strong>scanners</strong> do not store any data, but only read the number which<br />
is represented by the <strong>barcode</strong> and instantly transfer this data <strong>into</strong> the system.<br />
This means that <strong>barcode</strong> <strong>scanners</strong> cannot work on their own and must be connected to a system<br />
where the data is stored and can be easily accessed and manipulated.
WHY USE BARCODES IN<br />
MANUFACTURING?<br />
The simple answer would be – to increase efficiency, drastically – this is especially true if you deal<br />
with large amounts of products.<br />
Barcodes allow more efficiency even in the production stage where it can mark completed products<br />
with unique serial number so that each specific item could be easily tracked and traced<br />
Modern ERP/MRP systems, such as MRPEasy, also offer <strong>barcode</strong> scanner functionality.<br />
Besides that, MRPEasy is among the first ERP/MRP solutions which allow to use your mobile<br />
device on Android or iOS as a fully-functional D1 and D2 <strong>barcode</strong> scanner by simply taking a picture<br />
of the <strong>barcode</strong>.<br />
This amazing feature might put an end to traditional <strong>barcode</strong> <strong>scanners</strong> as we know them.
MRPEasy Cloud ERP/MRP Solution<br />
• Production planning and reporting<br />
• Supply chain management<br />
• Stock management<br />
• CRM<br />
• Managerial statistics, business intelligence<br />
• Integration with online accounting solutions<br />
Easy to deploy and use! Visit us @ www.mrpeasy.com